Article Summary
This article explores the difference between mushroom coffee and medicinal mushroom extracts; health benefits such as lower inflammation, balanced blood sugar levels, clarity, improved energy, and better sleep; terminology specific to medicinal mushrooms including beta-glucans, mycelium, fruiting body, tinctures, dual-extraction, and spagyric method. Products mentioned include Nicole's Apothecary Mushroom FOURtress Bundle with dual-extracted tinctures of cordyceps, reishi, turkey tail, and lion's mane.
Separating Fact From Fiction: Mushroom Coffee vs Dual-Extracted Mushroom Tinctures
A popular trend over the last few years or so, you may feel mushroom coffee is a healthier alternative to standard coffee, and you would be right! While it may seem like a new creation, it actually began in Finland during World War II when locals began brewing dried, ground native chaga mushrooms when coffee beans were scarce. Today, a range of powdered medicinal mushrooms are blended with ground coffee to help boost cognition, reduce stress, and increase natural energy. But is it a substitute for medicinal mushroom tinctures? Here we will separate fact from fiction and explore the difference between the two. Let's begin!
Functional Foods: Mushroom Coffee
The popularity of functional foods is growing, and mushroom coffee is no exception. Consumers are seeking foods that offer health benefits beyond simple nutrition and want better physical and mental health. These specialized foods often utilize plant-derived compounds that offer concentrated antioxidants, minerals, or beneficial compounds, which can include prebiotics, probiotics, essential fatty acids, beta-glucans, or insoluble fiber.[ 1 ]1. Jhunior A. Marcìa-Fuentes, Ricardo Santos Aleman, Franklin Ore Areche, Denis Corilla Flores, Almer Ventura Roman, Daniel Martín-Vertedor, Ismael Montero-Fernández. "Functional foods: A review of foods ingredient and their health benefits, Food and Humanity." Volume 6, 2026.
For mushroom coffee, ground medicinal mushrooms are blended with traditional coffee to give an adaptogenic boost along with other benefits, such as less jitters compared to regular coffee due to the lower levels of caffeine. Adaptogens help to support energy and improve resistance to physical, emotional, or environmental stress. Mushrooms typically used in mushroom coffee include chaga, reishi, cordyceps, turkey tail, and lion's mane. It’s important to note that those with an autoimmune disorder may find chaga overstimulating to the immune system.
Studies have shown that medicinal mushrooms may help to boost cognitive function[ 3 ]3. Docherty, Sarah et al. "The Acute and Chronic Effects of Lion's Mane Mushroom Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Stress and Mood in Young Adults: A Double-Blind, Parallel Groups, Pilot Study." Nutrients 15,22 4842. 20 Nov. 2023.; balance blood sugar levels[ 5 ]5. Chan, S. W., Tomlinson, B., Chan, P., & Lam, C. W. K. "The beneficial effects of Ganoderma lucidum on cardiovascular and metabolic disease risk." Pharmaceutical Biology 59(1), 1159-1169 (2021).[ 8 ]8. Németh, Z.; Paulinné Bukovics, M.; Sümegi, L.D.; Sturm, G.; Takács, I.; Simon-Szabó, L. "The Importance of Edible Medicinal Mushrooms and Their Potential Use as Therapeutic Agents Against Insulin Resistance." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 26, 827 (2025).; immune response modulation[ 4 ]4. Chen, Shiu-Nan et al. "Evaluation of Immune Modulation by β-1,3; 1,6 D-Glucan Derived from Ganoderma lucidum in Healthy Adult Volunteers, A Randomized Controlled Trial." Foods 12,3 659. 3 Feb. 2023.; more stamina and less fatigue[ 6 ]6. Yi, X., Xi-zhen, H. & Jia-shi, Z. "Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial and assessment of fermentation product of Cordyceps sinensis (Cs-4) in enhancing aerobic capacity and respiratory function of the healthy elderly volunteers." Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine 10, 187-192 (2004).[ 7 ]7. Hisamuddin, Ahmad Safiyyu'd-Din et al. "Adaptogenic Effects of Mushroom Blend Supplementation on Stress, Fatigue, and Sleep: A Randomised, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Trial." Brain and Behavior 16,1 (2026): e71193.; better regulation of the stress hormone cortisol[ 7 ]7. Hisamuddin, Ahmad Safiyyu'd-Din et al. "Adaptogenic Effects of Mushroom Blend Supplementation on Stress, Fatigue, and Sleep: A Randomised, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Trial." Brain and Behavior 16,1 (2026): e71193.; weight loss[ 8 ]8. Németh, Z.; Paulinné Bukovics, M.; Sümegi, L.D.; Sturm, G.; Takács, I.; Simon-Szabó, L. "The Importance of Edible Medicinal Mushrooms and Their Potential Use as Therapeutic Agents Against Insulin Resistance." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 26, 827 (2025).; and improved sleep[ 7 ]7. Hisamuddin, Ahmad Safiyyu'd-Din et al. "Adaptogenic Effects of Mushroom Blend Supplementation on Stress, Fatigue, and Sleep: A Randomised, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Trial." Brain and Behavior 16,1 (2026): e71193.. Sometimes, mushroom coffee includes other beneficial compounds such as L-theanine for calm energy and stress-relief. However, it's crucial to always read labels and opt for the highest level of fruiting body medicinal mushrooms for the best results. More on this below.
What is the difference between mushroom coffee and mushroom tinctures?
I’ve included a quick-reference chart to show the difference between mushroom coffee and mushroom tinctures. But first, here are a few important terms to be aware of in the world of medicinal mushrooms:
Beta-Glucans: A type of soluble fiber found in mushrooms, oats, barley, sorghum, rye, corn, triticale, wheat, rice, nutritional yeast, and seaweed, β-glucans are known to have anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and immunomodulating properties.[ 2 ]2. Bashir, Khawaja Muhammad Imran, and Jae-Suk Choi. "Clinical and Physiological Perspectives of β-Glucans: The Past, Present, and Future." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 18,9 1906. 5 Sep. 2017.
Mycelium: A network of underground, root-like branching fungal threads (hyphae) of mushrooms. Contains trace amounts of bioactive beta-glucans, around 5-7% for mycelium extracts.
Fruiting Body: The above-ground part of the mushroom (cap and stem) with the highest level of β-glucans, between 30-40% for fruiting body extracts.
Tinctures: Medicinal extracts of herbs in an alcohol, vinegar, or glycerin base. Alcohol is regarded as the universal menstruum (solvent) because it is able to successfully draw out more essential oils and other active compounds compared to other mediums.
Dual-extraction: Essential for mushrooms and lichens to access the full spectrum of beneficial compounds, dual-extraction uses both water and alcohol in separate steps to create a potent, concentrated tincture.
Spagyric Method: With this unique method, the spent herb is processed with pressure and heat to produce a mineral-rich ash that’s derived from the entire plant, lichen, or mushroom. The medicinal properties of the herb are fully accessed from the ash and herbal extraction, which creates a tincture that embodies a complete spectrum of intracellular minerals and plant cell salts.
Mushroom Coffee
|
Nicole's Apothecary Medicinal Mushroom Tinctures
|
Mushroom coffee is an excellent, health-forward drink. But it's important to remember that it has lower levels of beneficial compounds such as β-glucans compared to quality medicinal mushroom tinctures. Other mushroom supplements, such as pills and powders, can also vary widely in their concentration of medicinal properties depending on the extraction process and if the product is mainly composed of mycelium (common) or the fruiting body (rare and costly). Curious to learn more? Have a look at this post.
Superior Medicinal Mushroom Extracts
Dual-Extracted • Fruiting Body • Spagyric Method
Nicole's Apothecary Mushroom FOURtress Bundle contains gold-standard medicinal mushroom tinctures of cordyceps, lion’s mane, reishi, and turkey tail to support:
- Clarity
- Lower Inflammation
- Immune System Regulation
- Energy
- Heart Health
- Blood Sugar Balance
- Stress-Relief
- Better Sleep
I personally add SuperCube functional food powder to my coffee — it’s a wonderful morning ritual and an outstanding complement to my daily Mushroom FOURtress tinctures. It gives me a nice boost of sustained energy throughout the day, supports immunity, and contains potent adaptogens that calm the stress response while enhancing adrenal health. It’s caffeine-free, so there’s no energy slump or jitters. It contains a proprietary blend of sustainably sourced ingredients that include collagen protein; reishi, turkey tail, and cordyceps medicinal mushrooms; along with cacao, coconut cream, and Chinese medicinals. If you’re interested in giving SuperCube a try, use the code “NICOLEISSUPER” at checkout for 20% off your order (except the already discounted subscriptions).
The Takeaway
Mushroom coffee is a functional food that can help you to cut down on your caffeine intake and provide calm energy without blood sugar crashes. It's an outstanding complement to medicinal mushroom tinctures to boost wellbeing. In fact, I personally add SuperCube to coffee in addition to taking my medicinal mushroom extracts as a delicious morning ritual that gives me a nice boost of energy, helps to ease stress, and balances hormones. While SuperCube doesn't replace the tinctures in our Mushroom FOURtress Bundle that I take everyday to manage my MS, it does help to fuel my day for more calm, less stress, and a nice boost in sustained energy.
If you are struggling with a health concern and would like to learn more about how concentrated medicinal mushroom extracts can help, visit Nicole's Apothecary today.
Nicole Apelian
Actions Steps & FAQs
Action Steps
- Identify your primary health goal — do you want to reduce caffeine intake, avoid blood sugar crashes, boost energy, or address an underlying health concern?
- Check labels. What is the percentage of medicinal mushrooms in your mushroom coffee? Fruiting body or mycelium? Are your mushroom tinctures dual-extracted and utilize the spagyric method for full potency?
- Look for high-quality brands that utilize third-party testing.
- Consult with your healthcare practitioner if you have an underlying health condition or are taking medication to see if mushroom coffee and/or tinctures are right for you.
- Keep a journal for a few weeks to track any improvements in energy, focus, sleep, digestion.
FAQ
Are mushroom tinctures better than mushroom coffee?
Both can be helpful, but with different aims. Mushroom tincture extracts are concentrated natural medicines that offer therapeutic levels of beneficial compounds such as beta-glucans that address inflammation, autoimmunity, cognitive function, gut health, and more. See Nicole’s Apothecary Mushroom FOURtress Bundle for additional information. In comparison, mushroom coffee provides smaller amounts of beneficial compounds that can help to ease stress and boost energy.
What are functional foods?
Foods that provide benefits beyond simple nutrition. They often utilize plant-derived compounds that offer concentrated antioxidants or minerals — or the food may focus on additional prebiotics, probiotics, essential fatty acids, or fiber.
Are beta-glucans good for your health?
Yes. A type of soluble fiber found in mushrooms, oats, barley, sorghum, rye, corn, triticale, wheat, rice, nutritional yeast, and seaweed, beta-glucans are known to have anti tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and immunomodulating properties.
What is mushroom fruiting body and mycelium?
The fruiting body is the above ground part of the mushroom (cap and stem) with the highest level of beneficial beta-glucans, 30-40% for fruiting body extracts. Mycelium is a network of underground, root-like branching fungal threads (hyphae) of mushrooms. It contains trace amounts of bioactive beta-glucans, around 5-7% for mycelium extracts.
How long do medicinal herb tinctures last and how do I store them?
Tinctures have a shelf-life between 5-7 years when stored tightly capped in a cool location away from direct sunlight.
Nicole's Apothecary Products in this Post
Mushroom FOURtress Bundle
References
- Jhunior A. Marcìa-Fuentes, Ricardo Santos Aleman, Franklin Ore Areche, Denis Corilla Flores, Almer Ventura Roman, Daniel Martín-Vertedor, Ismael Montero-Fernández. Functional foods: A review of foods ingredient and their health benefits, Food and Humanity, Volume 6, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foohum.2025.100953.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949824425004574 - Bashir, Khawaja Muhammad Imran, and Jae-Suk Choi. “Clinical and Physiological Perspectives of β-Glucans: The Past, Present, and Future.” International journal of molecular sciences vol. 18,9 1906. 5 Sep. 2017, doi:10.3390/ijms18091906.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5618555/ - Docherty, Sarah et al. “The Acute and Chronic Effects of Lion's Mane Mushroom Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Stress and Mood in Young Adults: A Double-Blind, Parallel Groups, Pilot Study.” Nutrients vol. 15,22 4842. 20 Nov. 2023, doi:10.3390/nu15224842.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10675414/ - Chen, Shiu-Nan et al. “Evaluation of Immune Modulation by β-1,3; 1,6 D-Glucan Derived from Ganoderma lucidum in Healthy Adult Volunteers, A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Foods (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 12,3 659. 3 Feb. 2023, doi:10.3390/foods12030659.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9914031/ - Chan, S. W., Tomlinson, B., Chan, P., & Lam, C. W. K. (2021). The beneficial effects of Ganoderma lucidum on cardiovascular and metabolic disease risk. Pharmaceutical Biology, 59(1), 1159–1169. https://doi.org/10.1080/13880209.2021.1969413.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13880209.2021.1969413#abstract - Yi, X., Xi-zhen, H. & Jia-shi, Z. Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial and assessment of fermentation product of Cordyceps sinensis (Cs-4) in enhancing aerobic capacity and respiratory function of the healthy elderly volunteers. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 10, 187–192 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02836405.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02836405#citeas - Hisamuddin, Ahmad Safiyyu'd-Din et al. “Adaptogenic Effects of Mushroom Blend Supplementation on Stress, Fatigue, and Sleep: A Randomised, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Trial.” Brain and behavior vol. 16,1 (2026): e71193. doi:10.1002/brb3.71193.
ttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12808922/#brb371193-fig-0002 - Németh, Z.; Paulinné Bukovics, M.; Sümegi, L.D.; Sturm, G.; Takács, I.; Simon-Szabó, L. The Importance of Edible Medicinal Mushrooms and Their Potential Use as Therapeutic Agents Against Insulin Resistance. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26, 827. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26020827. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/26/2/827
